Nashville's Big Bash partners with organization to ensure safety, inclusion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — This New Year’s Eve, Music City will count down to the new year with its annual Big Bash at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

This year’s event includes not only A-list performers, but new safety enhancements.

The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation (NCVC) said Red Frogs, a non-profit, will be in attendance at this year’s event providing guests with early intervention tactics and harm minimization.

NCVC said they are also enhancing inclusion efforts through sensory bags provided by Kulture City to help those associated with autism, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, Down’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s and more.

Sensory Inclusion Bags will include noise-canceling headphones for those sensitive to sound, strobe-reduction sunglasses to minimize visual discomfort caused by bright or flickering lights, fidget tools to help relieve anxiety, visual cue cards to provide clear visual instructions/reminders and feeling thermometer card - a tool allowing individuals to express their emotions visually.

They are also adding a sober space for those not looking to drink, as well as working with the Sexual Assault Center to train bartenders through their Safe Bar initiative.

“Our New Year’s Eve celebration includes collaboration with community partners to make the event unforgettable but also safe and welcoming for everyone,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “From promoting safety with Red Frogs and Safe Bar to fostering belonging with initiatives like Sober Space and Sensory Inclusion Bags from KultureCity, we’re committed to ensuring that every attendee can enjoy Nashville’s Big Bash as we ring in the new year together.”

The Big Bash will be headlined by Keith Urban, Jelly Roll and Kane Brown. The NCVC said more than 40 back-to-back performances will take place leading up to the annual music note drop.

To learn more about Nashville's Big Bash, visit this link.

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